When I am annoyed and on my way to angry, one of my eyebrows will automatically raise.
When my sister was little she wanted to be able to raise her eyebrow too. She stood in front of me and scrunched up her face trying to get one eyebrow to raise. What happened instinctively for me, she was trying to learn to do. This was harmless but it did start me thinking about my automatic and or not managed behaviours.
I realized that there are actions and reactions that we instinctively display. Good and bad.
Pay attention and learn yours. Family can also be really helpful as they sometimes see things about us that we do not.
I have had family tell me about negative characteristics and actions that I sometimes display.
They are not mean about it and sometimes are laughing when they tell me. Usually because I have just done something!
Sometimes I ask questions for further clarification and sometimes I do not but I do hear them. Sometimes because I am really not all that impressed with myself.
I then usually pray for assistance and go about working on fixing, minimizing and or correcting the behaviour. It takes work and some things I have to continually monitor and keep on it.
Do not tear yourself down about these things. Just pray for help and make small adjustments as needed.
If you mess up (as I have and continue to do), pick yourself up, dust yourself off, (this gives you a minute if you need it-just a some time, do not sit wallowing for weeks) and get back in the game.
Keep it moving!
Ephesians 4:22-24
22 that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self, which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind , 24 and put on the new self, created in God’s image, in the righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Ephesians 4:25-31
25 Therefore, rejecting all falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another. 26 Be angry, yet do not sin; do not let your anger last until the sun goes down. 27 And do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 The thief must no longer steal, but instead he must work hard, producing that which is good with his own hands, so that he will have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let unwholesome words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear . 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed and marked for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice.
Colossians 3:5-15
5 So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience, 7 and in these you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them. 8 But now rid yourselves of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self—11 a renewal in which there is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy and well-beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. 14 Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ be the controlling factor in your hearts. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body. And be thankful.
Galatians 6:1-2
6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness, keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2 Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ.